WestJet flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 8125 (CUPE 8125), issued a 72-hour strike notice on July 30, 2026. The union said a strike could begin as early as 2 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
The union represents approximately 4,400 WestJet flight attendants, who voted 99.4% in favour of strike authorization earlier in July 2026. The strike notice is a required legal step before job action can proceed.
WestJet Responds with Lockout Notice and Flight Cancellations
In response to the strike notice, WestJet issued a 72-hour lockout notice that would take effect concurrently on August 2. The airline cancelled
76 flights on July 31, 2026, as a precautionary measure to reduce operational disruptions.
WestJet also began parking Boeing 737 aircraft to avoid the risk of planes being stranded should the strike commence. The cancellations affect multiple Canadian routes, including flights from the airline’s main hub in Calgary.
Contract Dispute Centers on Unpaid Ground Work and Pay
The labour dispute stems mainly from disagreements over compensation for unpaid ground work performed by WestJet flight attendants, who claim an average of 35 unpaid ground hours per month. The union aims to achieve contract terms resembling those secured by Air Canada flight attendants in their four-year contract reached last summer.
That
agreement included annual wage increases and partial pay for the first hour of on-ground waiting time, rising from 50% of the usual hourly wage in the first year to 80% by the fourth year. WestJet disputes the union’s claims, asserting its credit hour pay system covers all flight and ground duties combined.
Travel Disruptions Affect Passengers During Peak Summer Period
Passengers with bookings on WestJet flights between July 30 and August 4 are experiencing uncertainty due to cancellations and the looming strike. The airline’s flexible change and cancellation policies apply for travel during this period.
Vancouver resident Michael Murphy expressed concern about his wedding guests arriving via WestJet
from Dublin, stating that shifting flights earlier is not a viable option due to their commitments. “It’s not as easy just to move the flight forward,” he said.
Statements from WestJet and Union Leaders
WestJet CEO Alexis Von Hoensbroech said the decision to issue a lockout notice was made reluctantly. “We sincerely regret the inconvenience and uncertainty this continues to cause for our guests,” he said, emphasizing the company’s commitment to negotiating a fair and sustainable agreement.
CUPE Local 8125 President Alia Hussain emphasized that the strike notice does not mean the union wants a strike, adding, “We will continue to bargain around the clock until
this is resolved. We want a fair contract for our members that recognizes the value of flight attendants’ work and recognizes our position as employees of the second-largest carrier in Canada.”
